The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies has read the riot act to the authorities of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) over alleged irregularities in the conduct of its examinations.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Oboku Abonsizibe Oforji, issued a 24-hour ultimatum to WAEC authorities to appear before the committee tomorrow to address concerns surrounding the ongoing Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Oboku Abonsizibe Oforji, in a statement on Thursday, explained that the summons followed WAEC’s failure to honour an earlier invitation to appear before the panel.
Oforji recalled that the Committee extended an invitation to WAEC on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, seeking clarification on various issues disrupting the conduct of the exams across the country.
He expressed disappointment at WAEC’s absence during the scheduled hearing on Thursday, May 29, describing it as unacceptable given the scale of public outcry over the conduct of the exams.
“The examinations have been riddled with serious irregularities. We’ve received reports of students writing exams as late as midnight in some centres across the country,” the chairman stated.
“The House felt it necessary to summon WAEC to explain these developments and the trauma candidates are currently facing. However, WAEC responded this morning, saying they couldn’t appear due to their involvement in the ongoing exams. Ironically, this is the very reason we are asking them to appear.”
Oforji said that the Committee expects WAEC to appear before it on Friday, warning that failure to do so would compel the lawmakers to invoke the constitutional powers of the House to ensure compliance.
“Our intention is not to witch-hunt WAEC but to seek answers that will calm public tension and prevent a recurrence of these challenges. WAEC has been conducting exams for decades, and we have never experienced this level of disorganisation,” he said.
“Something is clearly wrong, and it must be addressed. The Committee has therefore resolved that WAEC must appear unfailingly on Friday, May 30, 2025, or face legislative sanctions in accordance with the powers vested in us by the Constitution.”
